Mutable Instruments Anushri Analog Synthesizer (Sneak Preview)

http://vimeo.com/46660673

This is a sneak preview of the Mutable Instruments Anushri synthesizer, now under development.

Features not demoed here:

  • Arpeggiator
  • VCA envelope and envelope modulation of VCO / PWM
  • The 8 LFO shapes and LFO > tempo synchronization

Here are the details on the Anushri synthesizer:

Analog synthesis

  • Analog VCO with saw and pulse waveforms, freely mixable.
  • Optional automatic VCO calibration in software for those who don’t like messing with trimmers.
  • -1 or -2 octaves sub-oscillator.
  • Auxiliary square oscillator (DCO) with accurate digital tuning available as an FM modulator or as a sync master for theVCO (yes, it means “ewwwwwwiowwww” and “wongwong”).
  • 12dB/octave multimode filter, with smooth self-oscillation.
  • Post-filter overdrive/fuzz circuit.
  • Linear VCA.

Modulation sources

  • 1 main ADSR envelope routable to pitch, pulse width, cutoff frequency.
  • 1 simple 1-parameter envelope (morphing through various stages, including the shape of the main ADSR, and a rigid “GATE” style envelope) routed to VCA.
  • Velocity routed to either cutoff frequency or VCA gain.
  • 1 LFO routable to pitch, pulse-width and cutoff frequency ; with 8 waveforms (triangle, square, ascending and descending ramps, S&H, bernouilli process, piecewise linear random process aka “autodubstep”, noise).
  • 1 triangle LFO for vibrato and/or growl.

Arpeggiator and sequencer

  • Arpeggiator with 4 modes (up, down, up&down, random) ; 1 to 2 octaves ; 6 patterns.
  • SH-101-style note sequencer with step by step recording, up to 128 notes. Easy recording of pauses, ties, and glides.
  • Tempo set by internal clock with shuffle, external MIDI clock or external 6/12/24 ppqn trigger.

Drum machine

  • Algorithmic drum pattern generator using an innovative “pattern sculpting” approach – allowing a large combination of drum patterns to be sculpted from 5 knobs
  • Digital sound generation of BD / SD / HH with tone control
  • Drum sounds can be freely triggered from an external sequencer using MIDI channel 10

Interface

  • 9 pots and 4 switches for hands-on access to synthesis parameters.
  • 9 “soft-pots” for editing modulations / arpeggiator / drum machine settings.
  • 3 dedicated navigation buttons (“modulations”, “arpeggiator / keyboard”, “drum machine”).
  • 3 dedicated sequencer buttons (“record”, “play”, “hold / rest”).

In/out

  • VCO CV in/out (Note: manual VCO calibration is required for accurate 1V/Oct I/O).
  • VCF CV in/out (Note: manual VCF calibration is required for accurate 1V/Oct I/O).
  • Gate signal in/out (5V level for output).
  • 24, 12 or 6 ppqn clock signal in/out (5V level for output).
  • External Audio in.
  • Audio out.
  • MIDI in/out (thru + arpeggiator and sequencer notes).
  • CC control over modulations and some of the digitally controlled synthesis parameters. Some parameters like filter resonance cannot be CC-controlled.

“Eurorackable”

  • Remove main audio in / out and solder corresponding minijacks on PCB
  • Remove LT1054 and solder 2×5 power connector
  • Route MIDI in/out to front panel (if you want…). And that’s it!

Availability

  • DIY product (full kit)
  • Price < 200€ / kit
  • Available < October 2012

via Mutable Instruments

8 thoughts on “Mutable Instruments Anushri Analog Synthesizer (Sneak Preview)

  1. Very cool, Im a little wary of dipping my toes into the DIY pool just yet, but the Shruthi-1 and now this look VERY intruiging

    Has anyone else who is a novice at DIY tried to make a shruthi-1?

    1. I built two sammichSID kits (one of which i borked somehow, still hoping on fixing it one of these days) with only little soldering experience and planning on getting a shruti-1 sometime. I would recommend building some simpler kit(s) first to get your soldering skills up to the required level, but i wouldn’t be intimidated by it. It’s a lot simpler than it seems. Patience, going over everything twice and watching some tutorials will get you a long way. After you get started there are a lot of options out there.

  2. I built a shruti -1, got to the final stage of tuning the filter. The plastic Ikea chair and the carpet conspired against the completion of my Shruti and gave me and the synth a pop of static electricity. Synth display switched to Sanskrit, or what appeared to be. But something bad happened to the circuit and I still lament. I’m going back in when I get some time. But there is a phase distortion waveform (casio cz series used this techneque)In the Shruti that is all killer, no filler.

  3. This thing looks awesome!! I want. It looks like these guys will be getting a big order from me very soon. Kudos to Mutable for making the kit Euro rackable, I know they had previously decided it wasn’t possible. Olivier is one of the most interesting and modern-minded synth designers that we have today. Two thumbs up.

  4. This company makes one interesting product after another… Guess I’ll have to dig up the soldering iron in the future… Made a sammichSID myself some time ago, so luckily I’ll not be blocked by experience soldering.

    but that name… ANUShri!? … is it just me that has a dirty mind!? … well.. don’t answer :O)

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